美國語文第六冊 第79期:三個警告(3)
但是，當他發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的財富累增，
While thus along life's dusty road,
就這樣沿著生活那條坎坷路，
The beaten track, content he trod,
精疲力竭地前行，他對自己的跋涉心滿又意足，
Old Time, whose haste no mortal spares,
不再匆忙的時間老人，
Uncalled, unheeded, unawares,
沒有召喚，沒有留意，也沒有意識到，
Brought on his eightieth year.
他一晃就到了八十歲。
And now, one night, in musing mood,
此時，一天晚上，他陷入沉思，
As all alone he sate,
對眼下的一切沒有不滿足，
The unwelcome messenger of Fate
命運女神的使者不期而至
Once more before him stood.
就在他面前站立。
Half-killed with wonder and surprise,
他奇怪和驚訝得要死，
"So soon returned!" old Dodson cries.
“這么快就回來了!”老道德森喊道。
"So soon d' ye call it?" Death replies:
“這么快你就忘了?”死神答道：
"Surely! my friend, you're but in jest;
“當然沒有!我的朋友，你語帶譏諷;
Since I was here before,
自從我以前來這兒，
T is six and thirty years at least,
已經(jīng)至少三十六年了，
And you are now fourscore."
你現(xiàn)在正好八十歲。”
"So much the worse!" the clown rejoined;
“過得越久越糟糕!”這個小丑反駁說;
"To spare the aged would be kind:
“上了年紀人會達觀：
Besides, you promised me three warnings,
另外，你向我承諾過三個警告!
Which I have looked for nights and mornings!"
我旦夕間都希望得到答案!”
"I know," cries Death, "that at the best,
“我知道，”死神咆哮道，“能那樣當然最好，
I seldom am a welcome guest;
很少有人把我當成受歡迎的客人;
But do n't be captious, friend; at least,
但別強詞奪理，朋友;至少，
I little thought that you'd be able
我根本沒想過你能
To stump about your farm and stable;
逃出你的農(nóng)場和馬廄;
Your years have run to a great length,
你的壽命已經(jīng)很長，
Yet still you seem to have your strength."
看來你似乎還有體力。”
